//------------------------------//
// Kencolt's Haylander (Bok's "The Great and Deathless Trixie") 
// Story: Never the Final Word (Vol. 2) 
// by FanOfMostEverything 
//------------------------------//

"No."

"But look at her--"

"I know.  You can feel it, any of us can.  But no."

"Okay.  So... crazy mare, doesn't know what she is, isn't trained, doesn't even have a proper sword-- most of those in her act are horseapples, seriously-- and nopony tries to take her head.  Why?"

"She's... a performer.  When she does her job right-- which happens more often than not, despite what you may have heard-- she brings a bit of joy, of light into the world.  Of mystery.  Every day, we learn more about the world, about reality... magic itself is more understood, physics is uncovered, chemistry is overtaking and refining alchemy... there are fewer and fewer mysteries.  That's a part of why we hide.  And much of what she does is let ponies, even for a short time, believe the unbelievable.  To dream that the impossible... is possible.  To have, if you will... a bit of faith."

"You mean--"

"Yes.  For a short while, wherever she sets up her performance, and especially when she performs, her little show is Holy Ground.  As long as she doesn't actually enter the Game herself..."

"She's off limits."

"Exactly.  True in the end, there can be only one... but while there are such as she around, that end will be a long time coming.  Also, she's about to do the thing with the hat and the rabbit.  I love the thing with the hat and the rabbit.  So stop fiddling with your sword, sit down, shut up and watch the thing with the hat and the rabbit."

"Um... there's no rabbit."

"Wait for it..."